Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations

Vaccinations

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...

Genetic Variation

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...

Vaccines

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.Life is not fair. A deer grazing contentedly in a field can have her meal cut tragically short by a bolt of lightning. If the doomed doe is one of only three in the population, 1/3 of the population’s gene pool is lost. Random events like this can...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Methodological needs in the quality and safety characterisation of nanotechnology-based health products: Priorities for method development and standardisation.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society·2021

Same author

In vitro innate immune cell based models to assess whole cell Bordetella pertussis vaccine quality: a proof of principle.

Biologicals : journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization·2015

Same author

Identification of biomarkers to detect residual pertussis toxin using microarray analysis of dendritic cells.

Vaccine·2013

Same author

Allergic contact dermatitis: epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, in vitro methods and regulatory aspects. Current knowledge assembled at an international workshop at BfR, Germany.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2011

Same author

Use of statins is associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2011

Same author

In vitro testing for direct immunotoxicity: state of the art.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2009

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Genetic variation in the response to vaccination.

T G Kimman¹, R J Vandebriel, B Hoebee

¹Laboratorie for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, National Institute of Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. TG.Kimman@rivm.nl

Community Genetics

|September 27, 2007

Summary

Genetic factors significantly influence vaccine response variability. Understanding these genetic determinants, including human leukocyte antigen and Toll-like receptor pathways, is crucial for developing more effective vaccines for everyone.

More Related Videos

Optimized Interferon-gamma ELISpot Assay to Measure T Cell Responses in the Guinea Pig Model after Vaccination

Optimized Interferon-gamma ELISpot Assay to Measure T Cell Responses in the Guinea Pig Model after Vaccination

Published on: January 20, 2019

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Optimized Interferon-gamma ELISpot Assay to Measure T Cell Responses in the Guinea Pig Model after Vaccination

Optimized Interferon-gamma ELISpot Assay to Measure T Cell Responses in the Guinea Pig Model after Vaccination

Published on: January 20, 2019

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens

Whole Blood Assay with Dual Co-Stimulation for Antigen-Specific Analysis of Host Immunity to Fungal and Viral Pathogens

Published on: September 20, 2024

Area of Science:

Immunology
Genetics
Vaccinology

Background:

Vaccines are vital for infectious disease prevention but face limitations like variable efficacy and non-responsiveness in some individuals.
Factors influencing vaccine response include age, maternal antibodies, and individual genetic makeup.
Understanding genetic influences is key to improving vaccine effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the genetic factors that contribute to the variable response to vaccination.
To highlight the role of specific genetic systems and pathways in immune responses to vaccines.
To identify potential targets for developing more universally effective vaccines.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on genetic factors influencing vaccine response.
Analysis of the role of polymorphic systems like human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs).
Examination of genetic contributions to antibody and cell-mediated immune responses.

Main Results:

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system significantly impacts vaccine response due to its high polymorphism and role in antigen presentation.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways and cytokine networks also play a role, though with less polymorphism.
Heritability of vaccine-induced antibody responses is particularly high in infants, influenced by genes both within and outside the HLA system.

Conclusions:

Genetic factors, particularly within the HLA system and other immune pathways, are critical determinants of vaccine response variability.
Further research is needed to identify specific genes and pathways involved in vaccine response.
Elucidating these genetic factors may pave the way for designing novel vaccines with improved and uniform efficacy.